A big summer is looming for Nottingham Forest as they prepare to play their final game of the season.
The Reds host Chelsea on Sunday (4pm kick-off) still in with a shout of securing Champions League qualification. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are already guaranteed some form of European football next term, it just remains to be determined in which competition.
After the weekend, attention at the City Ground will quickly turn to an important transfer window for the club. Below, NottinghamshireLive takes a look at some of the latest Forest transfer talk.
Gibbs-White praise
The Reds’ resolve to hang on to star man Morgan Gibbs-White this summer looks set to be tested. Manchester City, in particular, continue to circle as they target a replacement for the departing Kevin De Bruyne.
It remains to be seen whether Gibbs-White would want to go to the Etihad Stadium, although he is good friends with City’s Phil Foden. As the transfer talk continues to swirl, another City player has given his verdict on the Forest ace.
Asked whether Gibbs-White could “go all the way”, Kyle Walker, who is on loan at AC Milan from City, said on The Kyle Walker Podcast: “Yeah, he’s got the ability. He’s got the ability.
“For a player that I watched at Sheffield United to, kind of, be cast aside from Wolves, to then go to Sheffield United, to then go to Forest and then do what he’s done, break into the England team. He’s got all the ability.”
The initial £25 million Forest paid Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign Gibbs-White three years ago has long since proved to be a bargain. There has been talk of the England international now having a £100m price tag on his head as the Reds look to keep hold of him.
Striker search
The Reds are said to be eyeing up Lazio’s Valentin “Taty” Castellanos as they aim to strengthen their attacking options this summer. There is no doubt Forest need to bring in a striker when the window opens, and the 26-year-old is one of several forwards linked with a switch to the City Ground.
According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Castellanos could soon be on the move. The Reds, West Ham United and Wolves are all said to be “evaluating” the Argentina international, while Villarreal and Real Betis have also been credited with an interest in him.
Only “unmissable offers” will be considered by Lazio, with previous reports suggesting €30-35m (£25-30m) could be enough to tempt them to sell. Castellanos joined the Italian outfit from New York City in the summer of 2023. He has been hampered by injury this season but has still netted 14 goals and weighed in with eight assists for his club.
Perkins persuaded
Youngster Jack Perkins was persuaded to put pen to paper for Northampton Town by fellow Forest youngster Ben Perry. Perkins completed a permanent switch to the Cobblers earlier this week, departing the Reds after being at the club since the age of eight.
The prospect of working with Northampton boss Kevin Nolan was a big pull for the 21-year-old. And he also spoke to Perry, who spent the second half of the season on loan at the club from Forest.
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"I had a chat with Ben and he couldn’t have spoken any higher of the place,” Perkins told the Northampton Chronicle. “He only told me very good things about the club and once I spoke to him and I knew Northampton were interested, I couldn’t think of a better place to go.
“I came in a few weeks ago to see the lads and meet the manager and do a bit of training. I found it really good, the lads were very welcoming and I enjoyed it.
"It’s a nice feeling to know the manager likes me as a player and wanted to bring me to the club and I really like the place so it was definitely something that appealed to me and I was keen to sign.
"The manager (Nolan) had a great career at the top level and I can’t think of a better person to learn from. Even in just those few days I was here and trained with the team, I could see what he wanted and I feel there's so much I can learn in the next few years and that’ll help me improve a lot as a player.”
O’Brien tussle
Reds midfielder Lewis O’Brien looks set to be at the centre of a transfer tussle this summer. The former Huddersfield Town man is likely to move on from the City Ground, and it seems he has no shortage of admirers.
O’Brien has already hinted he would be open to returning to Swansea City, where he spent the second half of the Championship season. However, he could have other options available to him when it comes to deciding his next move.
Valencia are keen on the 26-year-old, with boss Carlos Corberan knowing him well from their time together at the Terriers. According to Spanish publication El Desmarque, the La Liga outfit have their sights set on signing O’Brien on an initial loan deal with an option to buy.
However, it is made clear Valencia will face a fight with Swansea to snap the Reds man up. The Welsh side are said to be “in love” with O’Brien and want to re-sign him. Meanwhile, Football League World claim Wrexham are plotting to swoop for the midfielder following their promotion to the second tier.
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Nottingham Forest are flying high in the Premier League and Reds fans are dreaming of a return to European competition. It has been an outstanding campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, who are on course for a place in the Champions League next season. And Forest supporters can whet their appetite for a possible return to football’s top tier on the continent with our 48-page special edition celebrating the club’s two European Cup wins.
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Do the club need to sell?
The Reds go into the summer in a healthy financial position, so hold all the cards when it comes to interest in key players. It would come as little surprise if other clubs come sniffing, though, particularly around Gibbs-White.
There will be outgoings as well as incomings when the window opens. If they can move on the likes of O’Brien and other fringe players not part of head coach Nuno’s plans, it would suit Forest well.
What do you think the team needs?
A win on Sunday, first of all. Forest would still require other results to go their way in the race for the Champions League, but they need to do their bit first by beating the Blues.
Once the Reds know which European competition they will be in next season, their planning can start in earnest. But whether it be the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League, a deeper squad will be required to cope with challenging on several fronts.
What transfer business should Forest do this summer? Click HERE to have your say